Storylines
> With a win over Vermont on Saturday, Northeastern would open the season 3-0 for just the third time since 1984-85 (1984-85 and 2005-06); the Huskies are 2-0 for the second time in three seasons, but just the fourth time since 1986-87 (1986-87, 2005-06, 2010-11, and 2012-13)

> In its last outing, Northeastern defeated Princeton in thrilling fashion, erasing an 18-point second-half deficit to win, 67-66, on a last-second lay-in by Reggie Spencer

> Sophomore Quincy Ford turned in an impressive performance in the win at Princeton, scoring a career-best and game-high 27 points—18 in the decisive second half—and grabbing a game-leading eight rebounds; Ford shot 61 percent from the floor and 83 percent from distance, including a career-high five made 3-pointers

> New England rivals Northeastern and Vermont will meet for the 69th time on Saturday; the Huskies, who lead the all-time series, 41-27, captured a dramatic victory over the Catamounts last season at Patrick Gym in Burlington when Joel Smith connected on a runner from the right wing at the buzzer

Scouting the teams
NORTHEASTERN
Fresh off back-to-back buzzer-beating victories, NU will look to improve to 3-0 for just the third time in 29 years. The Huskies are led by senior co-captain Joel Smith (13.0 ppg) and sophomore Quincy Ford, who leads the team in scoring (19.0) and rebounding (8.5). Fellow sophomore Reggie Spencer has been strong to open the season, averaging 17.0 ppg and 6.0 rpg. Spencer is shooting a remarkable 76 percent from the floor and 80 percent from the free-throw line. NU shot an impressive 57.5 percent from the floor at Princeton, its highest shooting percentage since a 58.1-percent performance on Feb. 2, 2011, in a 91-80 victory over VCU.

VERMONT
Vermont enters Saturday night's game at 1-1, after dropping a 67-49 decision to Connecticut on Tuesday. The game at historic Matthews Arena will conclude the Catamounts' three-game season-opening road swing. UVM, which won the America East title a season ago, was tabbed the conference preseason favorite, despite losing more than half its scoring from last year. Vermont is led by junior forward Luke Apfeld (12.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg), junior guard Sandro Carissimo (9.5 ppg, 2.5 apg), and all-conference junior forward Brian Voelkel (6.5 ppg, 6.0 rpg).

Thrice is nice

A win over Vermont on Saturday would give Northeastern a 3-0 record to open the season for just the third time since 1984-85 (1984-85 and 2005-06). 

Buzzer beaters

The Huskies have had a flair for the dramatic this season, capturing buzzer-beating victories in their first two games. NU erased a double-digit deficit against Boston University in the opener, winning on a last-second 3-pointer by Demetrius Pollard. In game two, the Huskies stormed back from 18 points down in the second half to shock Princeton. Reggie Spencer delivered the game-winner at Jadwin Gym—a layup off a perfect feed from Zach Stahl with just two seconds remaining.

Young guns

With Jonathan Lee sidelined with an injury, co-captain Joel Smith is the lone senior in the NU lineup. Smith answered the call in game one, scoring a team-best 20 points. Much of the Huskies' production, though, has been coming from the freshman and sophomore classes. Collectively, those two classes have accounted for 73 percent of total minutes played, 78 percent of total scoring, and 75 percent of total rebounding.

Statistical breakdown by class

Cl. - Min. - Pt. - Reb.

Senior - 18.25% - 19.70% - 15.38%

Junior - 8.50% - 2.27% - 0.00%

Sophomore - 50.00% - 63.64% - 67.31%

Freshman - 23.25% - 14.39% - 7.69%

Ford's dominating night

Sophomore Quincy Ford turned in a career-performance on Tuesday night at Princeton. The St. Petersburg, Fla., native scored a career-best and game-high 27 points on 8-of-13 shooting (61.5 percent). Ford scored 18 of his 27 points in the decisive second half. He connected on a career-high five 3-pointers, going a remarkable 5-of-6 from distance (83.3 percent), and was 6-of-8 (75 percent) from the free-throw line. Ford also pulled down a game-high eight rebounds.

Starting with a streak

Northeastern improved to 2-0 on Tuesday with a 67-66 come-from-behind victory at Princeton. The win gave the Huskies their second 2-0 start in the last three seasons. The last time NU achieved two 2-0 starts in a three-year span was 1984-87. Those Huskies teams (1984-85 and 1986-87) both captured conference crowns and advanced to the NCAA tournament. Since 1980, the Huskies have started 2-0 seven times (1980-81, 1981-82, 1984-85, 1986- 87, 2005-06, 2010-11, and 2012-13).

Boston bragging rights

Northeastern defeated crosstown rival Boston University, 65-64, in a thrilling season-opener for both teams. Sophomore Demetrius Pollard nailed a three from the top of the key with one second remaining to lift the Huskies to the win and return Boston bragging rights to Huntington Avenue for another year. NU now has defeated BU in three straight season openers and in seven of the last nine head-to-head meetings.

Spencer shines in season openers

Sophomore Reggie Spencer scored a career-high 18 points on 7-of-9 shooting and grabbed seven rebounds in this year's season-opening win against Boston University. In last year's season opener against BU, the Tuscaloosa, Ala., native collected a double-double in his first-ever collegiate game. He came off the bench to contribute 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocked shots in NU's thrilling 82-74 overtime win. Spencer shot 7-for-8 in that game, including a perfect 5-for-5 in the second half and overtime. He became the first NU player to open his collegiate career with a double-double since former standout Chaisson Allen (2008-11) accomplished the feat on Nov. 11, 2007.

17 career highs reached in opener

Five different returning players set or tied 17 personal career marks in the season-opening win over BU. Reggie Spencer set a new career high for points (18) and tied his career mark for field goals made (7). Marco Banegas-Flores set high marks for points (6), steals (2), and field goals made (3), and tied marks for rebounds (2) and field-goal attempts (5). Joel Smith set new personal bests for assists (5) and free-throw attempts (12). Chris Avenant set new highs for assists (2) and steals (2), and tied his best mark for field-goal attempts (3). Demetrius Pollard tied marks for assists (1), steals (1), 3-point field goals made (1) and attempted (3), and free throw attempts (2).

Successful starts

Northeastern has won four of its last five season openers under head coach Bill Coen, including a 3-0 mark in season openers played at home.

Season openers under Coen

11/15/06 at Syracuse L, 58-81

11/11/07 at Illinois L, 55-63

11/11/08 IUPUI W, 73-60

11/17/09 at Siena L, 53-59

11/12/10 Boston Univ. W, 66-64

11/11/11 at Boston Univ. W, 82-74 OT

11/9/12 Boston Univ. W, 65-64

Matthews magic

Now in his seventh season, Bill Coen has led Northeastern to a 6-1 record in home openers at Matthews Arena. The Huskies are 7-2 all-time under Coen in the month of November at the historic arena.

Home openers under Coen

11/21/06 Boston Univ. W, 73-54

12/1/07 James Madison L, 65-68

11/22/08 Holy Cross W, 61-49

11/21/09 Utah State W, 64-61

11/12/10 Boston Univ. W, 66-64

11/19/11 Southern Ill. W, 64-57

11/9/12 Boston Univ. W, 65-64

Lee named national finalist for Senior CLASS Award

Northeastern men's basketball senior Jonathan Lee has been selected as a candidate for the 2012-13 Senior CLASS Award in collegiate basketball. Lee, a graphic design major from Flint, Mich., is one of just 30 candidates nationally. To be eligible for the award, a student-athlete must be classified as an NCAA Division I senior and have notable achievements in four areas of excellence—community, classroom, character and competition. An acronym for Celebrating Loyalty and Achievement for Staying in School, the Senior CLASS Award focuses on the total student-athlete and encourages students to use their platform in athletics to make a positive impact as leaders in their communities.

Three Huskies earn All-CAA honors

Northeastern senior guard Jonathan Lee was named to the preseason All-CAA first team by a vote of the league's coaches, media relations directors and media members. Lee led a trio of Huskies who earned All-CAA honors. Sophomore forward Quincy Ford was voted to the second team, while senior guard Joel Smith earned honorable mention.

NU picked fifth in CAA preseason poll

Northeastern, which returns four starters under seventh-year head coach Bill Coen, was picked fifth in the CAA preseason poll, by a vote of the league's coaches, media relations directors and media members. Last year's regular season champion, Drexel, earned the top spot in the poll, followed by Delaware, George Mason and Old Dominion.

Coen ranks among best 

in all-time CAA wins

Head coach Bill Coen earned his 63rd career CAA win in the Huskies' 57-49 defeat of William & Mary in the CAA tournament. Coen is currently ninth on the CAA's list of all-time winningest coaches. He is one of just three current CAA coaches to have cracked the top 10.

Leaders of the pack

Seniors Jonathan Lee and Joel Smith were named team captains for the 2012-13 season. The duo also served as captains during the Huskies' 2011-12 campaign. 

Dialing in from deep: Smith is one of NU's all-time best

Joel Smith now ranks as one of the greatest 3-point shooters in Northeastern history. He finished the 2011-12 season as one of the CAA's most prolific and proficient 3-point shooters. Smith ranked nationally in 3-point field goals per game. He entered the 2012-13 season ranked third in career 3-point percentage at Northeastern and tied for fifth in career 3-point field goals made (159). The sharp-shooter had 20 multi-three games last season and has made at least one 3-pointer in 51 of Northeastern's last 54 games.

Lee-ding the way

Last season, as a junior, Jonathan Lee started all 31 games and averaged better than 35 minutes per game to rank fourth in the CAA. The 6-2 guard ranked in the top 15 in the CAA in eight other statistical categories, including scoring, assists, steals, 3-point field goals made, field-goal percentage, 3-point field goal percentage, free-throw percentage, and assist-to-turnover ratio. He ranked nationally among all Division I players in points per game, free-throw percentage, assists per game, and steals per game. Lee led Northeastern in scoring (14.5 ppg), assists (3.45 apg), and 3-point field goal percentage (.417), and scored in double-figures in 28 of 31 games. He earned All-CAA honors at the end of last season and was named to the preseason All-CAA First Team this year. He enters the 2012-13 season ranked second in Northeastern history in career free-throw percentage and career 3-point percentage.

Remarkable rookie year

Northeastern was the only team in the CAA to have two freshmen ranked in the top 10 in both freshman scoring and freshman rebounding last season. Quincy Ford ranked third in both scoring and rebounding, while Reggie Spencer ranked second in rebounding and 10th in scoring. Together, the two combined to earn three CAA Rookie of the Week honors.

NU to make nine TV appearances; national TV appearance set for Jan. 3

Northeastern men's basketball will make nine television appearances in 2012-13, the Colonial Athletic Association announced. The Huskies' TV package includes a nationally-televised match up on NBC Sports with CAA rival George Mason on Jan. 3 in Fairfax, Va. In addition, at least 16 NU games will be streamed live online—including a free, HD broadcast of every home game on GoNUxstream (GoNU.com/xstream)—giving fans no fewer than 25 viewing opportunities. GoNUxstream is free to all viewers and is accessible on PC and Mac computers, and mobile devices.

Injuries sideline Lee and Abakah

Northeastern men's basketball senior Jonathan Lee and freshman Kwesi Abakah sustained injuries in preseason practice. Lee, a preseason All-CAA first team selection, injured his foot during routine drills in mid-October. He is expected to miss up to six weeks as a result of the injury. The Flint, Mich., native averaged better than 35 minutes per game to rank fourth in the conference last season. He ranked in the top 15 in the CAA in eight other statistical categories, including scoring, assists and steals. Abakah, a freshman from Suwanee, Ga., suffered a torn ACL in practice, also in mid-October, and is expected to miss the entire 2012-13 season. The 6-8 forward averaged 14.3 minutes, 3.1 rebounds, and 2.4 points per game during the Huskies' summer tour in Canada. “I am extremely disappointed for Jon and Kwesi,” head coach Bill Coen said. “They both have worked hard and were very focused on the upcoming season. With the help of our talented medical staff, we anticipate that Kwesi will recover fully for next season. For Jon, as a senior co-captain, this is a setback, but his perseverance and work ethic are unparalleled. He will continue to provide us with valuable leadership during his rehabilitation and we look forward to his return to the court. This adversity will provide others on our team with opportunities, which I believe will make us a stronger team as the season progresses. I am confident in this team and in our chemistry and resolve.”

North of the boarder

The Northeastern men's basketball team embarked on an eight-day, five-city trip to Canada in late August. The Huskies, who previously toured Canada in 2008, played seven exhibition games against universities in Lennoxville, Quebec City, Montreal, Ottawa and Kingston. The tour featured wins over Bishop's (81-61), Laval (82-77), McGill (80-66), Ottawa (79-70), Laurentian (74-67 OT), and Queen's (105-84). The Huskies' lone loss on the tour came against Carleton (62-75), their sixth opponent in six days.

Huskies Unleashed

The Northeastern athletic department's popular video series “Huskies Unleashed” followed the men's basketball team on its summer exhibition tour through Canada. The four-part series provides fans with exclusive and unprecedented access to the basketball program. The series gives viewers a glimpse of the team during practices, scrimmages, team meetings and workouts leading up to its Canadian tour. Huskies Unleashed then follows the team during the tour, providing game highlights, behind-the-scenes footage, exclusive interviews and other original content. Links to the online video series can be found on GoNU.com and the men's basketball Facebook page (facebook.com/GoNUmbasketball).

Historic Matthews Arena

Northeastern's home court is historic Matthews Arena, the world's oldest multi-purpose athletic facility. The arena, the original home of the Boston Celtics and Boston Bruins, is in its 102nd year of operation. The Huskies have enjoyed great success on their home floor. They appeared at the arena as far back as 1936, but made the arena their permanent home from 1981 to 1996 and again from 2005 to present. From 1985 to 1987, the Huskies put together a school-record 38-game winning streak at the arena. The century-old gem underwent a major renovation two years ago, which added state-of-the-art amenities while preserving its rich character.

A list of the nation's oldest active men's basketball arenas:

1. Matthews Arena – Northeastern (April 16, 1910)

2. Rose Hill Gym – Fordham (Jan. 16, 1925)

3. Lavietes Pavilion – Harvard (1926)

4. The Palestra –Penn (Jan. 1, 1927)

5. Hec Edmundson Pavilion – Washington (Dec. 27, 1927)

6. Williams Arena – Minnesota (Feb. 4, 1928)

7. Hinkle Fieldhouse – Butler (March 7, 1928)

8. Payne Whitney Gym – Yale (Dec. 10, 1932)

9. Fogelman Arena – Tulane (Dec. 15, 1933)

10. Haas Pavilion – California (1933)

11. Municipal Auditorium – UMKC (1935)

12. Gallagher-Iba Arena – Oklahoma State (Dec. 9, 1938)

13. Lundholm Gym – New Hampshire (1938)

14. McAlister Field House – The Citadel (1939)

15. Cameron Indoor Stadium – Duke (Jan. 6, 1940)

List compiled by Tulane University athletic communications office

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Up next

Northeastern will travel to the Last Frontier next week to participate in the 2012 Carrs/Safeway Great Alaska Shootout. The tournament, which is the nation's longest-running regular-season college basketball tournament, will take place Nov. 21-24 at Sullivan Arena in Anchorage, Alaska. The Huskies will face the University of California Riverside in the first round on Wednesday, Nov. 21. Northeastern will return to the court on Friday, Nov. 23, to face either Belmont or host Alaska Anchorage. The championship and consolation games will take place on Saturday, Nov. 24. The other tournament participants are Oral Roberts, Loyola Marymount, Charlotte and Texas State. For Northeastern, this will be the second-ever appearance in the Great Alaska Shootout. The Huskies earned a spot in the 1986 championship game after defeating defending national champion and nationally-ranked No. 2 Louisville and Utah State in the opening rounds. In the title tilt against No. 10 Iowa, Northeastern legend Reggie Lewis scored 29 points, and narrowly missed a double-double with eight rebounds. Iowa, though, shot 70 percent to secure the victory.